Ossett Albion have become the first Yorkshire-based club to join the well-established NPL Football Academy.
The programme will start in September 2017 and an Education and Football Academy squad for 16-18 year olds will be created for the Evo-Stik Division One North. club at Dimple Wells.
The team will play in the NPL Football Academy League and FA Youth Cup next season.
Albion Head of Youth Development Simon Turfrey said: “We as a club are very excited at joining the NPL Football Academy and aiding to the students education of sport and in particular football.
“We feel as a club that it is very important for young footballers to have the best education they can, not only in football coaching but all the other aspects that are part and parcel of a sports person’s life, the course that the NPLFA offer will give this to any student.”
Manager Richard Tracey was equally excited at the news. He said: “It has been hard to miss how much the NPL Football Academy has grown and how much it has benefitted the first team managers at those clubs and I am excited we are now part of the same programme.
“There are a lot of talented young footballers in this area and I am looking forward to having a pool of players who will be receiving quality coaching day in day out at the football club.”
An NPLFA spokesmen added “We are thrilled that Ossett Albion have chosen ourselves to lead and manage their Education and Football Academy from September. After expanding into Nottingham recently, the expansion continues and we are excited to work and build links in Yorkshire.”
Recruitment is now underway to fill the 22 places available and the first trial date has been arranged for Friday 13th January, 7pm – 8pm on the 3G pitch at the football club with further events to be confirmed for February, at Easter and in May.
To apply, please register your details www.nplfa.co.uk/register or e-mail info@nplfa.co.uk
The NPL Football Academy has enrolled over 250 students since it’s inception in September 2014 and continues to grow each year.
An initial pilot programme that began in 2014/15 saw students aged 16-18 at five clubs – Leek Town, Mickleover Sports, Newcastle Town, Radcliffe Borough and Romulus – study for a BTEC in Sport at Level 2 and Level 3, accompanied by a bespoke football programme which involves working with UEFA licensed football coaches on a daily basis and competing in the NPL Football Academy League and national cup competitions led by the FA Youth Cup.